Chainsaw Cutting/Carving Wheel for Grinder

AaronThomas

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Any recommendations on a good cutting/carving wheel?
I've ordered a few off brand on Ebay but they dull out so quickly... Wondering if you all have a specific brand you guys and gals like most.
Do you find less teeth or more teeth is better for "wet" wood.
Thanks!
 

MHBonsai

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Key question I think is what are you going to do with it? I like dremel style cutting bits better myself than the chainsaw style. One used kaizan and samurai tools with great results.
 

butlern

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Check out Hawk Eye Bonsai in TX


As far as I can tell, the "flying Saucer" is the only thing he sells! It's small, so most appropriate for detail work when using Dremel. Well, it's great in the right hands, and those are not my hands... but Jennifer Price uses these all the time and she is quite the carver.

Cuts on both front and rear faces, and stays sharp and doesn't load up, at least not so far when applied to my American hornbeam (a.k.a. ironwood, mind you) and cypress and privet trees.

Sort of spendy, but I think they're imported from Germany so likely some up-front costs involved for the retailer.
 

leatherback

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Take a look at bonsai nibblers. I tried them, never looked back. I only use a chainsaw on my 2 person olive tree.
 

AaronThomas

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I like dremel
Yep use dremel for fine detailing but making chops on cypress with one would take too long. The chainsaw disk makes short work and there’s enough control to be remove material.
This one is one I may try next....
03FD815F-02BF-4363-BD17-E8D10D9C7ED2.jpeg
 

Shibui

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I've had an arbortech mini grinder for years. https://www.arbortechtools.com/us/mini-carver-range/
The original blades dulled very quick but could be sharpened with a chainsaw file. The newer tungsten tip blades have done a lot of work and still cut well. Good for bulk removal but still a bit limited in tight spots.
The larger version fits straight on an angle grinder and takes off a lot of wood but even more limited in tighter spots.
After bulk carving move to the dremel or similar for finer work or to get into tight spots. Still looking for a good carving bit for it though.
 

Woocash

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We used Arbortech blades for hollowing out fronts and backs of double basses. Amazing bits of kit and one blade would last for years and years. I can’t recommend any particular type as I don’t know what they’re called, but the quality is unquestionable.
 
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Not to scare anyone from the safe use of tool cutters like these. I remember this video and post it as using safe practice & PPE.
 

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johnbaz

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I have a die grinder and tent to use rotary files but as the wood is living, The sap clogs the fine blades, I've seriously thought of going through my Router bits (Some are similar to the Nibbler!), I also use a small Dremel type tool with rotary files, For some reason these don't clog!!
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John 👍
 

AaronThomas

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Not to scare anyone
Super dangerous to use without a doubt.... Safer with a side stalk for control. Until this post I have never found anything that can cut a 45degree chop as smoothly as the chainsaw disk.

Lots of great info on carving and chopping tools here! Thanks everyone!!!
 

BrianBay9

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I have used the Arbortech and the Lancelot chain saw wheel. The chain saw wheel scares the crap out of me! I find it hard to control. I would highly recommend the Arbortech tool.
 
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